‘Idols SA’ Returns After Two-Year Hiatus Alongside Other Popular Talent Shows, Mzansi Cheers
- Idols South Africa is set to make a comeback after being cancelled in 2023 following 19 seasons
- Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela confirmed on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, that two other shows are also expected to return to the small screen
- Several netizens celebrated the shows' return and suggested improvements, while others questioned the reasons behind their return
Source: Getty Images
Halala! Three of South Africa’s favourite talent shows are poised to make a comeback on the small screen after a game-changing deal.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela shared the update on his official X account on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.
Mphela announced that Idols South Africa would be returning to the small screen. Idols SA was cancelled in 2023 after being on our screens for 19 seasons. He shared that Idols SA isn’t the only talent show making a comeback to the small screen after Primedia Studios and Opulent Entertainment Group signed a collaboration deal.
“Primedia Studios has signed a collaboration deal with Opulent Entertainment Group, and as part of the deal, the pair will co-produce South African versions of talent shows. According to the press release, we are set to see Idols SA, The Voice SA, as well as Project Runway SA return to our screens,” Mphela said.
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He said that while Idols SA, The Voice SA and Project Runway SA will return to prime-time viewing, they may not be broadcast on the same channels as they were before they were pulled from TV. He hinted at which platforms the shows may end up on.
“While those titles may return, it doesn't mean they will be on the same platforms they were before — Idols SA may end up on Netflix or SABC and not Mzansi Magic,” he added.
He said that while he advocates for uniquely South African programming, he is content with these shows returning to TV.
“I love and miss family-friendly television. I'm all in. It would be nice to try and produce original South African concepts, but my emo-tainment and telenovelas fatigue means I'm happy to take this,” Mphela said.
See the post below:
How netizens reacted to Idols SA and The Voice SA's comeback
Netizens filled the comment section with mixed reactions. While others celebrated the return of the talent shows and suggested how to make them better than the last time they were on air, others weren’t so excited.
Here are some of the comments:
@sipsboii advised:
“Great news for SA entertainment 🇿🇦! I really hope Primedia invests in young talent; influencers, radio and TV personalities. We need fresh faces on our screens, not just legends we’ve always seen. Let’s give the youth a chance to host, judge & produce 👏 #KgopoloReports”
@Fulunem shared:
“It’s a step in the right direction because TV right now is a snoozefest. I wish they could also bring quiz shows/game shows like ‘Family Feud’, ‘The Chase’, ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’, ‘The Weakest Link’.”
@macmazaleni suggested:
“Whatever they do, they must not put Somizi as a presenter.”
@Vutheligwebu remarked:
“Not after the talent, but the money these shows seem to generate.”
@zottyzulu said:
“How depressing!”
Source: Instagram
What you need to know about Idols SA
Idols SA was one of South Africa’s biggest singing competitions, modelled after the global Idols franchise, and served as a major platform for discovering musical talent since its debut in 2002. The show gave aspiring singers a chance to showcase their vocal abilities in front of a panel of celebrity judges and a national audience, with viewers voting weekly to keep their favourite contestants in the competition.
Over the years, the show launched the careers of several successful artists, including Khaya Mthethwa, Shekhinah, and Karabo Mogane. Beyond just the music, Idols SA became a cultural phenomenon, influencing trends, sparking debates, and drawing millions of viewers each season. Some of the popular judges on the show include Somizi Mhlongo, Unathi Nkayi, Thembi Seete and JR.
Was Idols SA popular before it was cancelled?
While netizens are celebrating the return of Idols SA to the small screen, the show had lost popularity among South Africans by the time it was cancelled, as reported by Briefly News in 2023.
In Season 18, Idols SA lost thousands of viewers during its debut month, and not even Somizi Mhlongo's return to the show helped boost viewership.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
